Pedway--Downtown Pedestrian Walkway System

Chicago’s downtown pedestrian way system, the Pedway, lies in the heart of the city. This system of underground tunnels and overhead bridges links more than 40 blocks in the Central Business District, covering roughly five miles.

Used by tens of thousands of pedestrians each day, the Pedway connects to public and private buildings, CTA stations and commuter rail facilities.

Development of the Pedway began in 1951, when the City of Chicago built one-block tunnels connecting the Red Line and Blue Line subways at Washington Street and Jackson Boulevard. Since then, both public and private investment have expanded the Pedway, and the system now connects more than 50 buildings.

The Pedway is a safe, quick and convenient way for pedestrians to travel downtown—especially in the winter and during times of rain or snow. The Pedway also benefits traffic by reducing the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians, resulting in fewer accidents and better traffic flow.